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Leading Aircraftman Adam Worthington (Left), Corporal Chris Blake (centre) and Corporal Mathew Spriggs from 36 Squadron, inspect and clean the propeller flange adaptor on the engine of a RAAF C-130J Hercules during a propeller change at Al Minhad Airbase in the United Arab Emirates.

The C-130 Hercules maintainers deployed to the Middle East have had their work cut out for them since arriving at Al Minhad Air Base (AMAB) in the United Arab Emirates in June.

The team have conducted deeper-maintenance on a Hercules aircraft in-theatre, provided support to numerous VIP flights, and achieved a phenomenal mission success rate to date.

They conducted a ‘P1 servicing’ on an Australian Hercules aircraft in-theatre last month, which has never been conducted on operations before. It saved more than 1000 man hours and more than 100 aircraft hours, and was achieved in three days rather than the normal five.

The maintainers have also recently supported a number of VIP flights including transporting the Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Defence, the Opposition Leader and the Chief of Defence Force around the Middle East.

The maintenance team have achieved an excellent mission success rate, keeping the Hercules flying on 98% of all scheduled occasions to date.

The maintainers ensure the Hercules are operational so they can provide the transport of all mission capabilities to the front line. The Hercules aircraft transport everything from people to munitions, and everything in between.